2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet price and features

By Tony O’Kane, 31 Jul 2017Car News

Mercedes takes the E-Class convertible to new heights of specification and performance, but the price of entry has jumped significantly to match

Mercedes-Benz has simplified the E-Class Cabriolet range with its new-generation four-seater drop-top, due to arrive locally in October, replacing the outgoing E200 and E250 grades with the new E300 range opener and adding equipment across the board.

However, while the superseded E-Cab family started at $90,855 for the E200, the new entry-level 2018 Mercedes-Benz E300 Cabriolet wears a sizable $123,500 sticker on its windshield, excluding on-road costs. While some might consider that steep, the price jump ensures plenty of separation between the new E-Class convertible range and the still-fresh C-Class Cabriolet – which starts at $85,900 for the C200 spec.

And while the price of entry is significantly increased, the new E-Class Cabriolet offers more space, more technology and more equipment than before.

As with the Coupe model that arrived in the first half of this year, the 2018 E-Class Cabriolet is now based on full-size E-Class underpinnings, unlike the previous model’s C-Class-based platform. That makes the 2018 E-Class Cabriolet 123mm longer, 74mm wider and 30mm taller than before, with most of the dimensional growth going towards improving space for back seat passengers.

The power-folding multi-layered cloth roof can be raised or lowered in 20 seconds at speeds up to 50km/h, and Benz’s ‘Aircap’ wind blocker reduces in-cabin buffeting when travelling at speed with the roof down. Boot capacity measures in at 385 litres when the roof is up or 310 litres when the roof is stowed, and a 50:50 split rear seatback allows long and wide items to be carried.

Two powertrains are offered – the 180kW/370Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol inline four of the E300, and the 245kW/480Nm twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre petrol V6 of the E400. Both come paired with a nine-speed automatic, though the E300 sends all of its power to the rear wheels exclusively while the E400 splits it between both the front and rear axles.